7mm WSM, 162 gr bullet, RL26, 3170 fps?

[BoatTail]

I have been considering a number of short action WSM cartridges to build a rifle around for sheep hunting and just a lighter carry. I recently found Alliant is showing that the 7mm WSM with 162 grain bullets and reloader 26 is able to obtain 3171 feet per second out of a 24-inch Barrel.

This is about a hundred feet per second faster than any other powder in the other manual that I found.

Have others experienced this with a 162 grain bullet and reloader 26 out of a 7 mm WSM?

Here's the link to the Alliant page and a copy of the data
https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloa...wderlist.aspx&type=1&powderid=40&cartridge=72

Caliber
Bullet
Case
Minimum OAL
(inches)
Bbl Length
Primer
Powder
Charge Weight
(grains)
Velocity
(fps)
Notes
7mm Win. Short Magnum Speer 175 gr SP Federal 2.86 24 Fed 215 Reloder 26 70.1 3,044 -
7mm Win. Short Magnum Speer 160 gr BTSP Winchester 2.82 24 Fed 215 Reloder 26 71 3,160 -
7mm Win. Short Magnum Nosler 160 gr Partition Federal 2.85 24 Fed 215 Reloder 26 71.1 3,162 -
7mm Win. Short Magnum Hornady 162 gr A Max Federal 2.86 24 Fed 215 Reloder 26 71.2 3,171 -
7mm Win. Short Magnum Sierra 160 gr SBT Federal 2.79 24 Fed 215 Reloder 26 70.5 3,140

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I've got a 7WSM with a 25" Bartlein bbl. 69.0gr RE26 will shoot 3,100 ft/sec with all 160-162gr bullets. The 168gr bullets come in slightly slower. I have not used a heavier charge.

FWIW - I'm using Winchester cases and Fed 215M primers. All of my data is compiled using an Oehler 35P.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

That seems pretty optimistic. I was running 69.5 grains in my old 7mm mag 26in barrel and getting 3145 with the 162 eld. I ran up to 70.5 grains but that was not what I considered safe. I think youd find with a 24in barrel you'll settle around 3100-3125

 

[Deleted member 107796]

That seems pretty optimistic. I was running 69.5 grains in my old 7mm mag 26in barrel and getting 3145 with the 162 eld. I ran up to 70.5 grains but that was not what I considered safe. I think youd find with a 24in barrel you'll settle around 3100-3125

I would agree with this. IMO, 3100 is about max.

 

[tahoe1305]

Did you get a 7WSM? I have a barrel on order and plan to shoot 162s and would be curious if you went that direction and how it shoots.
Thanks.

 

[Jonoton]

27" barrel, Copper Creek 162gr AMax from well before Re26 was a thing:
3079
3094
3090
3103
3097
No pressure signs.

I haven't loaded anything with Re26 myself, but sure would like to try some.

 

[tahoe1305]

Alright officially attempting to revive this staying with the same theme since RL26 has been out for a bit now.

what kind of performance are people seeing with RL26 in the WSM?

barrel length and COAL add to the value of the info. Thanks!

 

[shphtr]

I have a Kimmer Montana 8400 with a 24" custom barrel that with Fed 215 primers and Win brass push 150 gr Hammers out at 3350 fps with 71 gr RL 26 for one hole 5 shot groups. After 71.5 grains I start to get extractor marks tho bolt lift is normal. To date I have 5 reloads with this load but 6 reloads is all I will prob get as with last reload primers were getting too easy to seat. Chrono is LabRadar. I had anticipated vel's in the 3200 fps range and with prior loads (different bullet/powder combo) had been struggling to maintain single MOA accuracy..

 

[tahoe1305]

That is moving. I am looking at their 155gr bullets just because they have a little bit better BC than the 150s and if they get within 50fps of that they will fly really flat.
Thanks for the input.

 

[tahoe1305]

I have a Kimmer Montana 8400 with a 24" custom barrel that with Fed 215 primers and Win brass push 150 gr Hammers out at 3350 fps with 71 gr RL 26 for one hole 5 shot groups. After 71.5 grains I start to get extractor marks tho bolt lift is normal. To date I have 5 reloads with this load but 6 reloads is all I will prob get as with last reload primers were getting too easy to seat. Chrono is LabRadar. I had anticipated vel's in the 3200 fps range and with prior loads (different bullet/powder combo) had been struggling to maintain single MOA accuracy..

What COAL are you at with the 150's?

 

[JohnnieB]

just for reference I run the 168 LRX at 2990, can get a bit faster, but loses accuracy. I can run the 140 TTSX over 3300. Custom 7WSM, Borden, 26 inch Benchmark.

 

[reeldawg]

I'm running 180 VLDs with RL26 at 3048 out of a 24" barrel

Jay

 

[tahoe1305]

I'm running 180 VLDs with RL26 at 3048 out of a 24" barrel

Jay

At what OAL cartridge length good Sir?

 

[reeldawg]

I need to check them, they are mag length.

Jay